Transforming Vocational Education in Palestine by Integrating 21st Century Skills: Effects, Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract: In Palestine, youth unemployment rates are rising, vocational training centers (VTCs) are not teaching students the skills needed to survive in the 21st century workforce, and females are extremely underrepresented in both VTC institutions and the labor force. This study reports on the effectiveness of a set of interventions meant to transform VTCs with new life skills training, improved training practices, and expanded career guidance services that will encourage females to participate fully in the workforce. A sample of 64 students receiving the set of interventions completed an 11-item retrospective pre-post life skills training survey. Both females and males reported positive shifts on all 11 items, with an average 24% improvement across all items, and 48% of graduates reported finding employment three months after graduation. Anecdotal reports suggest opportunities for females are growing, and that VTCs are well placed to continue working to address gender inequities.